Abstract: Provided is a method for filling a container with a liquid in which the container is filled via an opening of the container and an internal volume of the container increases during the filling process and the internal volume of the filled volume is at least twice the volume of the unfilled container. Also provided is a device for filling containers, and a container having an opening, a base region, and a main body integrally formed with the opening and the base region, the main body being bent by a specified bending angle around a specified circumferential folding edge of the main body in such a way that the opening of the container is arranged closer to the base region than the circumferential folding edge is, wherein the position of the folding edge relative to the base region of the container can be changed during an expansion of the container.

Abstract: A fraction collector where fractions of liquid are sequentially dispensed from a dispensing means into a plurality of receptacles arranged in a cassette in the fraction collector, by displacing the dispensing means relative to the receptacles, the receptacles being arranged at predefined positions with respect to the cassette and the cassette being arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the fraction collector, wherein the cassette is retained at the predefined position with respect to the fraction collector by a magnetic arrangement.

Abstract: A reader for mechanical actuation of fluids within a test cartridge. The instrument interface including multiple independently-controlled plungers aligned to respective fluidic pouches on a test cartridge that is inserted into a testing apparatus embodying the instrument interface. The plungers include tips for applying mechanical force to the respective fluidic pouches.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading material into a stent strut can comprise a cover sleeve. The cover sleeve is elastic so that it can reduce in diameter so as to press against the stent strut, and expand in diameter so as to be spaced apart from the stent strut. The stent strut can include a lumen into which material is injected. When pressed against the stent strut, the cover sleeve seals side openings to the lumen and prevents injected material from leaking out of the side openings during the injection process.

Abstract: A fill head for depositing hazardous waste materials into a container movable between a filling position seated on the container, and a container exchange position withdrawn from the container; a control arm carried by the fill head directing movement of the fill head between the filling and exchange positions; a drip tray movably carried on a support platform adjacent the fill head for extending underneath the fill head to retain drippings of the hazardous waste material from the fill head when in the exchange position; and, a lifting arm carried by the drip tray engaging the control arm, wherein the lifting arm biases the control arm to raise the fill head from the filling position to the exchange position when the drip tray is extended underneath the fill head so that as the fill head is withdrawn from the container any dripping hazardous waste is captured by the drip tray.

Abstract: A device for preparing drinks, in particular, cooled drinks. Also disclosed is a multi-way coupling for use in a device for cooling drinks and a method for cleaning a device for preparing drinks.

Abstract: A method of loading particulate matter into a transport container having at least one chamber with a peripheral region using an apparatus comprising a rotatable member configured to be positioned at least partially into an opening for the chamber. The method can include the acts of locating the apparatus adjacent the opening for the chamber by movement relative to the transport container, initiating a flow of particulate matter from the apparatus into the opening, rotating the rotatable member to facilitate the dispensing of particulate matter within the chamber, and engaging the rotatable member with particulate matter so that at least a portion of particulate matter that has been dispensed into the chamber is pushed into the peripheral region within the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for conditioning chaff (11) of predetermined diameter, that comprises a filling unit (3) for said chaff (11), including n filling stations (4), and a conveying device (2) for said chaff, said device (2) including at least one conveying member (5) provided with a succession of receiving housings (15) for said chaff (11) arranged along a predetermined pitch (E), said conveying member (5) further including, in addition to said succession of receiving housings (15) for said chaff (11) or first housings, a succession of receiving housings (16) or second housings for the chaff having another predetermined diameter, said second housings (16) being arranged along said pitch (E), and each of said second receiving housings (16) being provided between two first receiving housings (15).

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a container engaging device, a suction device for suctioning fine airborne particles and a container removing device for removing defective containers from continued travel along a production line. The suction device comprises a discrete article guiding passage for guiding discrete articles into a container. The discrete article guiding passage comprises a passageway having a length through which discrete articles pass prior to entering the container and at least one suction aperture into which airborne particles are sucked. The at least one suction aperture is positioned at a region along the length of the passageway. The suction device further comprises a suction pump in communication with the discrete article guiding passage for creating a suction effect for sucking airborne particles into the at least one suction aperture.

Abstract: A carousel (1) for supporting and weighing containers (2), comprising: a carrier element (6) supporting at least one container (2), rotatable about a respective axis (X) and presenting at least one opening (13) affording access to an enclosure (14) within the selfsame element (6); a plate (15) associated with the underside of the carrier element (6), serving to close the opening (13), and a system (17) for weighing the container (2), installed at least partially within the enclosure (14). The weighing system (17) comprises a load cell (18) associated with the plate (15) and housed in the enclosure (14).

Abstract: A method for substantially contamination-free transport of pourable bulk product from a dosing unit into a container is proposed, wherein the dosing outlet of the dosing unit is connected in a detachable manner with the receiving inlet of the container, the dosing outlet and the receiving inlet are opened, and the bulk product is transported into the container from the dosing unit via its dosing outlet and via the receiving inlet of the container. The receiving inlet of the container is disposed at the dosing unit by means of an elastic joining element to prevent transfer of forces between the dosing unit and the container during the dosing process. A device for carrying out such a method is also proposed.

Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus is provided for depositing liquid materials onto prescribed areas. The apparatus includes a sensing and delivery pin and a photo sensor. The apparatus is sized to deliver a droplet of liquid material to the surface of a target area without coming into contact with the target surface. The apparatus is also capable of drawing geometric features, such as lines and grids of liquid material. The photo sensor measures the intensity of light during a processing cycle. Measured reflected-light intensity can be compared in real-time to a reference curve which is based on test process cycles representing the light intensity expected when the process proceeds in the preferred fashion to produce a normal spot having an expected droplet size. The light intensity measurements can also be fitted with a mathematical function such as an asymmetric double sigmoidal curve.

Abstract: An automated dispenser for radiopharmaceuticals is mainly for a platform to have a moving mechanism being able to move three-dimensionally back and forth, a syringe holder and a bottle holder. The syringe holder is for holding a plural number of syringes. The bottle holder has a reverse drug bottle. The moving mechanism has a syringe clamp rotatable around a horizontal axis and a syringe driving mechanism. The syringe clamp is activated to hold a syringe and move it to where the syringe needle is inserted to the drug bottle. The syringe driving mechanism and the syringe clamp are simultaneously associated with the syringe for drug-withdrawing action.

Abstract: A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in an outlet 113 includes a pair of holding members 111 each provided with at least one slope extending from an upper end located within the instrument 1 to a lower end located in the outlet 113, the holding members 111 being designed to receive at the upper ends the vial 9 filled with the tablets and to allow the vial 9 to slide down under its own weight to the lower ends with supporting a flange 9a around an outer periphery of the vial 9.

Abstract: A method of loading particulate matter into a transport container having at least one chamber with a peripheral region using an apparatus comprising a rotatable member configured to be positioned at least partially into an opening for the chamber. The method can include the acts of locating the apparatus adjacent the opening for the chamber by movement relative to the transport container, initiating a flow of particulate matter from the apparatus into the opening, rotating the rotatable member to facilitate the dispensing of particulate matter within the chamber, and engaging the rotatable member with particulate matter so that at least a portion of particulate matter that has been dispensed into the chamber is pushed into the peripheral region within the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recirculating construction machine for handling bottles or similar containers, having a rotor rotatably supported about a vertical machine axis on a machine frame and that can be driven about said machine axis, having a plurality of handling positions on the rotor, having an annular enclosure concentrically enclosing the machine axis and forming, or the housing thereof forming, an interior bounded from the environment and tillable with a sterile gaseous and/or vapor medium, in which the functional elements of the handling positions each extend at least into a partial area acting together with the containers, and in which the containers are received at least in an opening area during handling.

Abstract: A fully automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product package cavities. The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical product dispensing canisters which are capable of selectively dispensing a pre-designated number of solid pharmaceutical products. The machine fills a template containing temporary storage cavities and the template is automatically positioned over a sheet of clear plastic material containing a plurality of cavities corresponding to the cavities in the template. A barrier between the cavities in the template and the sheet of clear plastic material is moved and the pharmaceuticals in the template cavities drop into the corresponding cavities in the clear plastic sheet of material.

Abstract: A container supplied to a carousel type filling unit is directed onto a supporting and weighing device (1) that presents a hollow body (12) attached to the carousel and housing a load cell. The hollow body (12) is equipped with a pedestal (19) presenting a platform (20) on which to stand the container, and a connecting element (21) of which a first end (21a) is coupled with the load cell internally of the hollow body (12) and a second end (21b), opposite to the first end (21a), is secured to the platform (20). To advantage, the first end (21a) of the connecting element (21) is seated in a through opening (13) afforded by the underside of the hollow body (12).

Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container is provided. The container has a fitment. The fitment includes a spout having a collar. The collar includes a support surface for supporting the container in suspension. The machine includes a filling apparatus configured to fill the container with a product, a rail system, a loader, and a carrier. The carrier is configured to hold multiple containers. The carrier is generally elongated and has a pair of spaced apart flanges. The spaced apart flanges define a slot extending the length of the carrier. The slot is configured to slidingly receive the spout of the container and the support surface of the collar engages each of the pair of flanges so as to suspend the container within the carrier. The carrier may be placed into communication with the rail system so as to feed the containers to the filling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic delivering of paste food products, particularly ice cream and/or yoghurt, comprising a housing (4), within which a plurality of containers (3) of said paste food products are provided, each one of said containers providing means (11, 21, 22, 23) for distributing said paste food products, and refrigeration means (9) for said plurality of containers, and apparatus programming means, said apparatus being characterized in that said housing provides a rotating base (6), having at least one seat (7) supporting a tray (8) for receiving said paste food products from said plurality of containers (3), said rotating base (6) moving in such a way to place said tray (8) under one of said containers (3) according to the sequence programmed by said programming means, said distribution means (11, 21, 22, 23) delivering said paste food products within said tray (8) when it is in correspondence of the specific paste food product container (3).

Abstract: A method of filling a container with a liquid composition, which comprises at least two visually distinct phases, comprising the steps of: a.) transferring said liquid composition to a container using a dispenser which has an initial fill rate; b.) rotating said container during said step a. at an initial speed of rotation and in an initial direction of rotation; c.) changing a feature selected from the group consisting of: the speed of rotation of said container, the fill rate of the dispenser, and the direction of rotation of said container; and mixtures of said features, each independently from the geometry of said container; and d.) completing the transfer of said liquid composition to said container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dispensing of a desiccant material into an interior region of an elongated spacer frame member. The appropriate desiccant dispensing nozzle is automatically selected and/or the distance between the desiccant dispensing nozzle and the elongated spacer frame member is automatically determined based on a property of the spacer frame member, such as the width of the spacer frame member.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for simultaneously sterilizing a large number of packs (1) by means of a gas mixture containing hydrogen peroxide and a carrier gas. The apparatus comprises: supply lines (4) for the carrier gas and for hydrogen peroxide (5), a device (21) for evaporating hydrogen peroxide by heat and mixing it into the carrier gas, supply lines (4, 5) and a substantially horizontally extending distributor line (6, 22) and nozzles (3) which are arranged above the respective pack (1) and are connected to the distributor line (6, 22).

Abstract: A dispenser for granular material in predetermined doses is provided, including an upper part forming a reservoir for storing the granular material, and a lower part forming a base supporting a metering device, the upper and lower parts of the dispenser being separated by a horizontal wall comprising a flow window, the metering device including a closure member that can move between an adjustable open position in which the granular material can flow through the flow window into a removable receptacle and a closed position in which the closure member closes off the flow window, the movement of the closure member between the passing position and the closed position is achieved by pulling on the receptacle, the receptacle being rendered temporarily secured to the closure member during movement between the two positions, and the movement of the closure member between the closed position and the passing position being achieved by pushing on the receptacle, the receptacle including means for forming a stop coming t

Abstract: A machine consisting of a vertically mobile liquid manifold filling system, and a horizontally mobile carriage for maneuvering pallets under a multi-head filler, for simultaneously filling entire pallet tiers of empty containers, such as 2.5 gallon metal or plastic jugs, bottles, or pails, 5.0 gallon metal or plastic jugs, bottles or pails, or 30-55 gallon metal or plastic drums, requires only the labor to lift and place empty containers onto a pallet, instead of the conventional physical handling and palletizing, of heavy, prefilled containers.

Abstract: A device for the application of a liquid substance has a baseplate, in which at least one cavity is recessed, and a container. In operation, the container and the baseplate are moved relative to each other in such a way that during the relative movement the container passes from one side of the cavity to the other side of the cavity. Such a device is particularly suitable for the application of flux, electrically conducting epoxy or soldering paste onto the bumps of a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An apparatus for the loading of flour at a mill having at least one filling nozzle, which communicates by way of at least one substantially stationary storage container, a silo or a hopper, and is so constructed that it can be coupled to several input openings of a vehicle to be loaded. In order to connect the filling nozzles to the various input openings of the vehicle to be loaded in succession (or simultaneously), the weighing assembly, which measures the weight of the vehicle together with its load, is constructed so that it incorporates a transport means, in such a way that by moving the vehicle its input openings can be connected in sequence to the filling nozzle for rapid loading of flour in a simple manner. The flour, in particular in a fluidized state, can be conducted though vertical chutes, increasing the control over the amounts loaded into the vehicle and decreasing the possibility of contamination.

Abstract: Free space within a chamber is filled with a flowable material via an opening in a surface of the chamber. A delivery force is used to deliver the flowable material into the chamber via the opening. An outwardly directed force, independent of the delivery force, is applied to draw the flowable material away from the opening. The extent to which the free space within the chamber has been filled is sensed. And the delivering of the flowable material is controlled in response to the sensing. A wall of the chamber defines a longer dimension and a shorter dimension and the opening is in a portion of the wall that defines the longer dimension. The flowable material is delivered into the chamber via the opening in a manner such that, as the flowable material fills the chamber, a surface of the flowable material moves toward the opening along the longer dimension of the chamber.

Abstract: The production of hot soup from soup concentrate involves the use of an apparatus that includes a housing having a refrigerated first section and a second section. A soup concentrate container is positioned within the refrigerated section for receiving soup concentrate and a discharge device is operatively associated with the soup concentrate container for discharging a predetermined amount of soup concentrate from the soup concentrate container. A nozzle which is adapted to be connected to a source of hot water is positioned in the second section of the housing for producing a stream of water. A movable tray is also positioned in the second section for receiving a cup or the like in which is to be mixed hot water and soup concentrate. A tray driving device is connected to the tray for moving the tray between various positions at which a cup is placed on the tray, soup concentrate is discharged into the cup and hot water is dispensed into the cup.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes a tank mounted over a conveyor, and containers being moved along a conveyor under the tank. An elongated slot is formed in the bottom of the tank and aligned over the containers on the conveyor, to dispense fluid into the containers. A continuous loop belt extends around a pair of drums, with a lower portion of the belt in sealed slidable engagement with the tank bottom, to cover the slot. The belt has a plurality of apertures extending uniformly around the entirety of the belt, spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the containers on the conveyor, such that fluid dispensed through the belt apertures sliding over the slot will fill a container below the tank. Preferably, the belt is driven by the same drive system which drives the conveyor, to synchronize the speed of movement of the belt with the speed of movement of the containers under the tank.

Abstract: In a fluid vending machine, a pivoting dispensing assembly comprises a housing having the form of a cylindrical sector, and a conformingly shaped platform rotatingly secured therein having a sectorial base plate and rectangular inner and outer sides. A spring disposed between the base plate of the platform and a bottom plate of the housing urges the platform towards a closed position therein. A user supplied container disposed on the base plate is filled with fluid dispensed through an aperture on a top plate of the housing. A switch on the housing in contact with the inner side of the platform when in the closed position shuts off the egress of fluid into the container should the user draw out the platform during a dispense cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for filling seed trays particularly tobacco seed trays, with growing filler material whereby dry pockets are prevented from forming in the seed trays. The method includes partially filling an upright loading device with the filler material in a manner so that the surface plane of the filler material is at an inclined angle of repose with respect to horizontal. A leading edge of the filler material is established and maintained from the front end of the loading device. A seed tray is passed below the loading device so that the forward edge of the seed tray initially passes below the leading edge of the filler material so that the filler material cascades down into the individual pockets of the seed tray at a controlled rate. In practicing this method, the individual pockets of the seed tray are generally completely filled from the bottom up with the filler material before being conveyed under the bulk portion of the filler material, thereby minimizing the occurrence of dry pockets.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing products, including viscous products, in a container has a longitudinally extending tube mounted to a frame in which the tube is reciprocated vertically in its longitudinal direction. The mounted tube has an inclined wall at its base which forms an end of the tube and extends to a tube bottom inclined wall base edge adjacent an aperture positioned in the longitudinal wall portion. A plate suitable for covering the aperture is stationarily connected to the frame at a position so that upon reciprocation of the tube, the aperture is opened and closed by the plate. When the plate closes the aperture, the plate and tube are pressed to seal the aperture.

Abstract: A pocket instrument for sampling breath air in situ, includes a microprocessor-controlled directional control valve with needles at an outlet to which needle the sample vessels are attached. The directional control valve is arranged to be connected through another outlet to the atmosphere and to a collecting chamber respectively, which collecting chamber is provided with a feeding device for accommodating and delivering the breath air.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for handling cheese, including a base and a turntable mounted on the base. The turntable has cutout recesses in the periphery thereof for moving molds in a circular locus. A platform is provided on the base for supporting the molds as they are being moved in a circular locus. The base includes stations. A filling and weighing station is provided on the base whereby curd is filled into the molds and weighed to a predetermined level. A compacting station is also provided on the base whereby the curd in the molds will be pressed to remove the air therefrom and packs the cheese within the molds. The recesses and the turntable are in registry with the stations on the base.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for the extraction and delivery of measured quantities of liquid characterized by a fine adjustment of the stroke of the operating rod whereby accurately controlled measured amounts of liquids may be lifted and delivered is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing uncompacted rice upon each of a continuously-moving train of plates from a hopper containing an auger which is rotated to effect dispensing only when a plate is in position beneath the outlet of the hopper. The hopper is caused to swing back and forth about an axis at right angles to the direction of motion of the plates, so that the outlet of the hopper swings downstream at about the same speed as the underlying plate while the auger is operating, thereby to concentrate the dispensed rice on a predetermined part of the plate. The timing may be such that, while the hopper is executing its upstream return motion, the next plate passes beneath it without receiving rice, the hopper dispensing only upon every other plate; another similar hopper at a downstream position then provides similar rice deposits upon similar parts of those alternate plates which do not receive rice from the upstream hopper.

Abstract: A device for filling ice cream containers simultaneously with ice cream and a flavoring syrup to produce a reveled ice cream with the syrup being evenly and smoothly disbursed about the inner surface of the container to provide an attractive package which shows the flavoring syrup and to dispense the flavoring syrup also about the central or inner portion of the ice cream being delivered to the container. The filling device or head is utilized with ice cream filling equipment which provides ice cream and flavoring syrup pumping and transport means adjacent the inner surface of the container, and also provides for substantially smooth and equal delivery of the syrup to the interior portions of the ice cream.

Abstract: Small, compact and portable semen straw filling devices are hand operated by a single person.A single turn of the handle advances a straw for filling and renders the straw removable by a handheld syringe with which an operator may guide the straw into an ovaduct of a turkey before squeezing the syringe and expelling the semen into the ovaduct. The device is portable so that it may be taken directly to the domestic birds and used by one man to impregnate a large number of birds in a short amount of time.Using the present invention, a man simply cranks the filler, inserts the syringe, withdraws the syringe and straw, impregnates a bird, discards the straw and repeats the cycle. Turning a handle of one filler removes a straw from storage and aligns it with a nozzle while preloading a pump. Inserting the syringe triggers the pump, and withdrawing the syringe withdraws a loaded straw.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling viscous substances into hard gelatin capsules, while heating and stirring the viscous substances to be filled. The apparatus is entirely simplified in construction, reliable in operation and inexpensive. The apparatus includes a hopper, a pumping mechanism and a capsule body loading board being operatively connected with respect to each other. A reciprocating feed mechanism transfers the capsule body loading board from a preliminary operating station to a filling station. An intermittent rotary mechanism sequentially aligns accommodating holes in the capsule body loading board with a filling nozzle for dispensing the viscous substance into the gelatin capsules.

Abstract: A device intended to feed a gaseous high-pressure fluid to a platform supported on a frame on which is located a pressure source, said device comprising a rotating joint unit including two fluid conduct members mounted in relative rotational relationship to said platform along the geometrical axis around which said platform is rotating, one of said members being connected to fittings usable for feeding said fluid and located on said platform. The other member is intended to feed said pressure source, the fluid conduct member which is intended, in the joint unit, to be connected to said pressure source is connected to the latter by a releasable connecting member. The coupling of said member depends on the fluid feeding required by the user or by said fitting usable for the fluid feeding and mounted on said platform.

Abstract: A multi-positionable work station containing a plurality of easily reciprocally, positionable work station blocks is disclosed. As shown, each of said blocks is adapted to receive one of a variety of tools and is further adapted to be locked in place by an integral quick camlock contained within said station. A use of the station is illustrated with an acid-fill station which will simultaneously fill each of the cells in a multi-celled electric storage battery for automotive use with battery acid. In the embodiment shown, the station is adjustable vertically without the necessity to disassemble the apparatus to which the station is attached and further contains structure to adjust the forward and rear position of the batteries being filled relative to the work station so that precise alignment may be achieved.

Abstract: A powdered milk dispensing device comprises a container for powdered milk having an outlet spout at the bottom through which the powder is fed by a screw conveyor. Bottles are held in place under the spout by a base assembly including an ultra-violet sterilizing lamp and push button switches for energizing the lamp and a small electric motor which drives the screw conveyor.

Abstract: An improved particulate material loading system for transferring particulate material from a storage assembly to a vehicle having a storage bin wherein the material is protected from the outside environment during the transfer. The storage assembly includes a temporary cover which is operatively engagable with the vehicle to protect the storage bin of the vehicle when a hatch door of the vehicle is moved from a closed position to an open position to enable transfer of the material thereto. The vehicle is constructed to slidably receive the temporary cover of the storage assembly.

Abstract: A machine and method of packaging loose fill material such as fiber insulation into a rectilinear bag is described consisting of a storage tank above a trough enclosing twin counter rotating augers which forcibly drive the loose fill material into a passageway over which the bag is stretched, forcing the bag off the stretcher as it is filled. A hinged can assembly contains the bag and is guided along a track as the bag is filled and forcibly moved off the stretcher, presenting the filled bag to an operator who removes it and seals the bag.

Abstract: A turntable rotatably supports a plurality of filled paint containers beneath a conventional paint colorant dispenser to permit sequential dispensation of a quantity of colorant into each container from one of the dispensers.

Abstract: A metering system is described for metering quantities of particles, such as fissile, fertile and shim particles for nuclear fuel elements. Predetermined volume discharges from three particle reservoirs are collected and two of them are weighed in comparison with a predetermined standard. A small amount of particulate material is added to each of the two weighed containers dependent upon the difference between the weight of the volumetrically dispensed particles therein and the predetermined standard. All three intermediate containers are then discharged into a volumetric chamber which is then brought to a standard volume by the addition of further particles. The resultant charge in the volumetric chamber is comprised of a fixed volume in which the weight of particles from two of the three reservoirs is standardized.

Abstract: A fraction collector wherein a head is aligned in sequence with individual containers of an array of containers so that fractions or samples may be deposited into the containers from a delivery tube supported by the head. A table surface slidingly supports a number of racks holding rows of containers. The racks are releasably attached to spaced points along a chain moved by a chain drive motor around a closed loop above the table surface. The head is supported above the path of the racks and is moved across the racks and along the rows by a head drive motor. A control circuit controls the chain and head drive motors to advance the chain in increments to position successive rows beneath the head, and moves the head in increments along the container rows to position the head above individual containers.

Abstract: A structure for receiving a supply of particulate solids such as grain, silage, haylage, or the like, at the top and dividing it into substantially equal portions as the feed falls by gravity to the bottom of the structure. A system of baffles and dividers directs the material and splits it into increasingly smaller, individual portions as it slides down the inclined surfaces of the structure.

Abstract: A circular dispensing tray having an upturned peripheral flange is formed with a first plurality of apertures in a central circular area and a second plurality of apertures in a surrounding annular area divided from the central area by an upward step. Each aperture contains a drinking vessel with its rim flush with the surrounding tray. An amount of liquid sufficient to fill all the vessels up to a level just below the rim is poured into the tray flooding the central area vessels; the tray is tilted to allow excess liquid to run over the step and the tray is rotated to fill all the vessels to the same level.